Ryan Shazier wants to play football again, but he’ll technically be a free agent in March. When/if he returns to the field, he says he’d ideally like to suit up for the Steelers, as Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette writes. 
“Really nothing has been decided,” Shazier said. “I definitely want to be with the Steelers. I was drafted here and everything’s been going great. I just love the atmosphere, I love the family aspect of it, but I also love the way they do business. So I definitely want to stay.”
Shazier was in the film room with the Steelers throughout the 2018 season and attended team meetings, even though he was on the PUP list. There’s likely a similar plan in place for 2019 – recently, team president Art Rooney II said he’s working on a way to keep Shazier in the fold on a new deal.
For now, Shazier is taking things day-by-day. He’s already regained the ability to walk, but he has a ways to go before he can resume football activities.
“I have a time frame in my head, but I haven’t really told anybody yet,” the linebacker said. “At the end of the day I’m taking it one step at a time. I’m a lot closer to my goal than I was when I got hurt.”
Please don’t let him play football again. I admire the perseverance, but it seems like an enormous risk given the physicality of the sport. Is he entitled to insurance compensation if he can longer play again? If so, I hope he takes it and lives a nice healthy life as a coach or something like that.
I hear that.
I love Shazier but what made him a special player was his speed and strength… No matter how well his recovery goes he will never be as strong or fast as he was before. So, even if by some miracle he was medically cleared to play; he would never be the same player he was… totally agree with finding some way to stay with the team as a coach or ambassador but he’ll never play again…
There is ZERO chance this guy is playing football again. Just focus on walking again dude.
Having seen him walk a year or two ago, I can’t see how he could possibly be able to play football anything more than a token play during pre season? But maybe he’s made a miraculous recovery?
There’s no way they will let him suit up! The Dr.
and team would never clear him
I can’t help but wonder how good the Steelers would’ve been with his abilities at ILB. That being said, I hope never plays again. It Is remarkable that he’s come this far.
Even though I have the utmost respect for Shazier and his incredible “Ohio State Buckeye” perseverance, there’s something very sad about people in the Steelers organization allowing him to believe he can ever play pro football again… It seems it would be better for him to be told now, rather than to get to some level of fitness and have a huge let down… That to me is dangerous for his psyche and could lead to serious problems, or major emotional issues in the future… Everyone but him knows he’s not ever going to play again and the Steelers organization is allowing him to look sort of delusional and he doesn’t deserve that.
Even if the Steelers management were forthright (a rare occurrence) it’s unlikely anything would be achieved other than some easing of conscience. Shazier may well be one of those individuals that is actually motivated even more when people continue to say there is no chance that you can reach your goal. Even delusional people have a right to chase dreams.
Just respect… Let him have his motivation . If everyone in the NFL loved the game like him what a league it would be. That’s a man I’d be happy to hear my child look up to in sports
“Our species can only survive if we have obstacles to overcome” – Capt. James T. Kirk (Metamorphosis)
Sue the doctor that clears him to play. He’s going to end up worse than before and it’s going to be heart shattering to watch